Media Advisory: Governor-General’s Extension of Term
24 October 2012

MEDIA ADVISORY

Governor-General’s Extension of Term

The Prime Minister, the Hon. Julia Gillard MP, has announced that the term of the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO will be extended until March 2014.

Ms Bryce was sworn in as Australia’s 25th and first female Governor-General on September 5th, 2008. The conventional term of the Governor-General is five years.

During her term, Ms Bryce has delivered 668 speeches; attended 1029 separate events throughout Australia; attended 606 separate events overseas; presented 647 honours at 38 investitures, including two presentations of the Victoria Cross for Australia and hosted 564 official functions.

Ms Bryce has received 746 callers; received the credentials of 115 Ambassadors and High Commissioners to Australia; presided over 95 meetings of the Federal Executive Council, which has considered 2,723 agenda items, and assented to 679 pieces of legislation passed by the Commonwealth Parliament.

In her capacity as Commander-in-Chief, Ms Bryce has represented Australia at ceremonies to commemorate the sacrifices made by Australians at war in Villers-Bretonneux, Le Hamel, Verdun and Fromelles, France; Gallipoli, Turkey; Sandakan, Malaysia; Hellfire Pass and Kanchanaburi, Thailand; and Long Tan, Vietnam. Ms Bryce and Mr Michael Bryce have also visited Australian troops in East Timor twice, and in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan on three occasions.

The Governor-General has welcomed to Australia Her Majesty The Queen and other members of the Royal Family, and 37 visiting Heads of State, mostly at Government House in Canberra. Some Heads of State visited Australia as guests of Government, following visits to their countries by Ms Bryce and Mr Michael Bryce.

Ms Bryce came to the office after a career of involvement in civic engagement, which has continued through her term as Governor-General and, previously, as Governor of Queensland.

Her previous roles include Lecturer and Tutor in Law, The University of Queensland; Convenor, National Women’s Advisory Council; Inaugural Director, Queensland Women’s Information Service, Office of the Status of Women, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet; Director, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, Queensland; Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission; founding Chair and CEO, National Childcare Accreditation Council, and Principal and CEO, The Women's College, University of Sydney.